A blow at the serpent; or a gentle answer from Madiston prison to appease wrath advancing it self against truth and peace at Rochester. Together with the work of four daies disputes, in the Cathedral of Rochester, in the Countie of Kent, betweene several ministers, and Richard Coppin, preacher there, to whom very many people frequentlie came to hear, and much rejoyced at the way of truth and peace he preached, at the same whereof the ministers in those parts began to ring in their pulpits, saying, this man blasphemeth, ... Whereupon arose the disputes, at which were some magistrates, some officers, and souldiers, peaceable and well-minded, and very many people from all parts adjacent, before whom the truth was confirm'd and maintained. The whole matter written by the hearers, on both sides. Published for the confirmation and comfort of all such as receive the truth in the love of it. By Richard Coppin, now in Maidston Prison for the witness of Jesus. Twenty five articles since brought against him by the ministers, as blasphemie, and his answers to them, how he was

A POSTSCRIPT by friends to comfort the Author of this work in his present Troubles, by R. W. L.

TWas bravely ventured, what, three to one, And he to keep the field till all were gone: But some few men with Swords, and Generals, Justices of the Peace, and men with mauls, Consulting the Black-guard, their Snakie Den, A lodge, from whence that cruel Serpenten Spirit of Persecution doth arise Again, as 'twas in the old Marian daies; Else, what means it? in this our weekly newes From all quarters, such dolours to infuse Into our ears, which makes us surely think, Cruelty shall enter, and Justice wink A while, to give this bloody Serpent string, That so they easie may pluck out his sting: From Esam, Colchester, and this of Kent, Tells, the Whore rides, as though the Skies she'd rent With her myst'rious, fornications, gain, As though o're the whole world she meant to raign: Her Seas nought but mire and dirt cast up, To make all drink her filthy wrathful cup; Her Merchants roaring, bring all to their ways, As French, sometime Felt-maker in the Mays. Rosewell, from West to East, did rage about, 'Gainst State, when Love by's sin was rooted out. But when thou at Oxford, and Glocester, try'd, Truth then advanced Justice on thy side, And quail'd the haughtinesse of Chim'rims pride, Whose malice 'twas at first to have thee dide In crimson blood, and so keep up their trade, For which again thou'rt now a Pris'ner made: Go on brave heart, let thine enemies know God will them in his fi'ry Oven throw, And there perhaps make them his truth Keep Lent for sins, or break them on th〈…〉〈…〉

FINIS.